263 Duke Street, Glasgow.
Mr Henry Kerr. 1890.
Exterior view of Kerr’s Bar. 1890.
To read the full history of Henry Kerr and his public houses, check back soon for our second book.
263 Duke Street, Glasgow.
Mr Henry Kerr. 1890.
Exterior view of Kerr’s Bar. 1890.
To read the full history of Henry Kerr and his public houses, check back soon for our second book.
1071 Duke Street, Glasgow. G31.
The Jiggin. 1991.
This was originally the Netherfield Bar, the Nerry Inn.
It has been closed for a number of years now.
In the NEWS 1976…
Mr. Frank McKenna, right hand crippled. 1976.
Beer and Bus Ban.
Publicans to ask drivers for backing…
Scots bar managers may seek the aid of Glasgow busmen in their campaign against murderous thugs.
They are all set to carry out “soon” their threat to shut pubs for one day in a massive protest against attacks on staff which culminated at the weekend in the murder of Glasgow pub boss George Brown.
Busmen also the victims of thugs in recent weeks have retaliated with weekend curfews in some parts of the city.
Protest Decade
Phil Jenkins, transport union boss for the busmen, said today, “It will be up to the men themselves to decide if they want to take part in any protest.
“We are living in a decade of protest.”
Mr. Alec Hood, Scottish organiser of NALHM the National Association of Licensed House Managers, was in his Edinburgh office early today, planning the first moves in the protest. Said Mr. Hood, “I will be making formal applications today to owners, breweries and the brewers society, asking them for their support.”
And he warned, The one-day shutdown is a serious threat. Out fight has to start somewhere.”
Curfew Ends
Mr Hood hoped for the support of the busmen after all their protests have been over the same thing. He added, “I will be contacting the Transport Union and asking them to join me.” Mr Brown’s murder, police are still investigating, happened after he had chased a group of youths from the pub in the Springboig district.
Busmen at Glasgow’s Gartcraig depot decided today to end their weekend curfew in the Nitshill area. The ban on buses going into the district after 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays was imposed two weeks ago following an attack on a driver.
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Perils of Pub Work…
Two Glasgow men who were attacked while managing pubs told today of the assaults.
One of them, 47 year old Frank McKenna is no longer in the trade, he lost the power of one hand when he was assaulted in a Maryhill pub two years ago. Mr. McKenna, of 140 Raeberry Street, Maryhill, has had five operations in his right hand, including skin grafts.
He said today “My wife and I were clearing up one Saturday night at closing time.
A TUMBLER
“Three lads in their early twenties were standing with pints at 10.15 p.m. “I put two of the pints on the other side of the bar, and as I turned round one of them stuck a tumbler into my hand, serving the tendon and some arteries.”
Mr McKenna has tried working in pubs since the attack, but he said, “It’s useless. It is not a job you can do with one hand.” Bar manager Phil Woodlock (41) was stabbed twice, kicked, and punched by a gang of youths because he told a teenager girl she was too young to be served in the Netherfield Bar, Duke Street in the East End of the city.
Mr Woodlock “I had to have stitches put in the two back wounds, but I didn’t stay off work, you can’t let them beat you.” Asked if he had been attacked before, Mr Woodlock showed a toothless grin and said “You must be joking.”
He added, “The trouble is that even when the pub’s busy you can never get witnesses for these things. “I think this plan to shut the pubs for a day could be a good thing. We’ll have to hit them and hit the public until they realise that we need help.”
Mr Phil Woodlock 1976.
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1978…
When Billy Welsh, proprietor of the Netherfield Bar, Duke Street, Glasgow, opened his new lounge recently he chose Lorimer’s beers and Norseman Lager.
At the opening of the new bar Billy (second right) and Mrs. Welsh are joined by, from Lorimer’s, Bob Taylor, sales representative, and Jack Grierson, regional sales manager (both on left), and harry Lorimer, sales director (right).
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In the NEWS 1979…
Pub Pop Man Knife Murder Victim…
The young victim of a late-night knife murder in Glasgow’s East End was today named as Peter Airlie, lead singer of a popular pub group.
Peter, of 58 Rattray Street, Tollcross, died after an incident at the corner of Duke Street and Todd Street, Dennistoun.
Only hours before Peter had been singing with the other members of the group at a wedding. Today his shocked mother, Eileen, spoke of her son’s biggest interest, playing with the group Stony Broke around the pubs an social gatherings.
LOST EYE
“He loved playing with the band. Last night they had been at a wedding. “Then Peter went for a pint at the Netherfield Bar which was his local. I just don’t know how this terrible thing could have happened.”
Peter used to work in the East End bar, and only eight months ago lost his eye in an accident when a piece of metal broke off from a beer machine. Last night’s incident began shortly after closing time at the Netherfield.
HEARTBREAK
Several men were involved and three including Peter Airlie, received injuries and were taken to the Royal Infirmary. But Peter was dead on arrival at the hospital.
Early today the tragic news was broken in a transatlantic phone call to Peter’s two brothers at their homes in Canada.
Peter’s father Alex was due to take the family to Canada for his son’s wedding in a few weeks. Now the brothers must make the hearbreak trip to Scotland for Peter’s funeral.
Two other men injured in last night’s incident are still recovering in the Royal Infirmary. And today detectives from the city’s Eastern Division are quizzing clients of the Netherfield and other witnesses.
“Our inquiries are continuing along certain lines, said a senior CID officer.
Joanna Dee’s night club, August 2005.
These premises have been empty for years and looks in a terrible state. 2012.
6 Dinmont Road, Glasgow. G41 3UD.
The Jeanie. 1991.
The Jeanie was demolished to make way a new retail and grocer’s outlet.
In the NEWS 1977…
A warm welcome from the bonnie Jean Armour…
Jean Armour of Dinmont Road, Glasgow’s south side, will have a warm welcome for you tomorrow.
And if the name seems familiar, well, the most famous Jean Armour was the wife of Robert Burns.
The new Jean Armour is a complex consisting of public bar, cocktail lounge and function suite, which has cost in excess of 3100,000, and is having the final touches put to it today.
John Waterson, the proprietor of the Jean Armour, has had a special fondness for Burns ever since the success of his first pub, the Burns Cottage.
SNUG
He has named several licensed premises after the poet, including the popular Burns Howff in West Regent Street.
“We have gone for a very high standard of decor and service to cater for the clientele in this part of the city.” says Mr Waterson. “Comfort and hospitality are our main aims. A good range of bar snacks will be served, and the menus for the function suite will be reasonably priced.”
Each part of the complex has character of its own. Natural timber effects, white rough plastered walls and a cosy “snug” give the distinct Burnstan air to the public bar, the Twa Dogs, which seats 60 to 70.
RELAXING
In contrast, the Clarinda Lounge, reflecting the poet’s Edinburgh period, has an elegant Regency decor. Seating for only 40 will ensure a pleasantly intimate atmosphere.
The Bard’s Room, a self-contained function suite on the upper floor, with accommodation for up to 200, is bright and modern, with its own bar, parquet dance floor and band stand. Concealed coloured lights in the recessed ceiling are a feature of the hall.
A bride’s room makes this suite ideal for a wedding reception, and with a well-fitted kitchen, the Bard’s Room will also cater for private events and funeral parties.
The complex has fitted carpets throughout and stereo music provides a relaxing background. The building is attractively faced with red French tiles, and is set in three quarter acre of landscaped grounds, with parking space for 70 cars.
John Waterson plans to develop it in the English style, with tables set out in the grounds in good weather.
IDEAS
Paul Waterson, 22 year old son of the proprietor, is the general manager. He has worked in hotel management and gained experience in the Burns Howff. The manager is Lennie Rossi, “Lennie,” comments John Waterson, “has some very updated ideas, and will bend over backwards to please the customers.”
Before these premises were demolished to make way for a retail and grocers store, this well-known complex was called The Metropolis.
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In the NEWS 1978…
Drummer Dougie’s Pinta Pop Swop…
Cheers! Dougie Henderson drums up pints for customers in the pub on Glasgow’s South Side at Crossmyloof.
Drinker’s in a Glasgow Pub might be excused for thinking they’ve seen the friendly barman’s face before.
For pulling pints instead of fans nowadays id Dougie Henderson, ex-drummer with Scots chart-topping pop group Marmalade.
And that’s quite a change for the superstar Glasgow man, who once had Shirley Bassey for drinking company, toured such spots as Brazil and the Far East, and always had a wad of notes in his pocket.
Dougie, who now lives in Pollokshields with his wife, Yvette is charge hand at the Jean Armour pub in Crossmyloof. He spoke today of his life in the pop world, a career which stretched from his fifteenth birthday until 1974.
Great
“I had a great time, from playing with a group of boys at Crookston Castle Secondary School to the Marmalade days.” Even as a 15 year-old with a band called the Mad Hatters he was off to Germany for tour dates.
“That was something else,” said Dougie. “We played every night for two months. It was just play, eat, bed, then back to playing again.”
He played the old Piccaso club with the Hatters when the audience included Dean Ford, Graham Knight and Pat Fairley, then the Gaylords, later Marmalade.
With the Shevlons, then the Cartoon, Dougie made a record and by the time he was 17 appeared on TV’s Top of the Pops.
“But I don’t even remember the name of the record.” he said. “Probably because it flopped.” But his first taste of fame arrived while he was playing with the Poets, when they were top of the Scots in the mid-60s. “we were even banned from Fife, would you believe? That was because we were spitting and swearing, they call it punk rock now.”
Festival
They moved down to London, came back to Glasgow, then Dougie received a phone call in 1971 from Hughie Nicholson, who had replaced Junior Campbell in the Marmalade line-up. “He asked me to join them and I jumped at the chance.”
Dougie recalled: “We toured South Africa, Brazil, at a song festival where we got friendly with Shirley Bassey, and other foreign spots. It was all a bit different from Sauchie town hall and the Hamilton Trocadero.
There was also a string of recording hits including Cousin Norman, Ra Dancer, and Our House is Rocking. The band moved into plush surroundings in Surrey, in a village where Dougie first met his wife, Yvette.
Said Dougie, “It was great up until the middle of 1974 when I quit. We just decided to call it a day, and it was a case of musical differences of opinion.”
“I’d never pulled a pint before when publican John Waterson offered me this job. I had known him when the Poets played at the Burns Howff pub years ago.”
Said Dougie, “Right now we’re converting this place to bring in live groups. I’ve still got my custom-made American drum kit in the house, and I might just be tempted to sit in with them.”
Dougie Henderson (second from right) with members of Marmalade when they were picking up gold discs in London in 1971. From left to right are: Dean Ford; Pat Fairley; Graham Knight; Dougie; and Hugh Nicholson.
Metropolis 1991.
89-91 Dundas Street, Glasgow.
To read the full history of this old landmark click here to buy a copy of my book.
This was originally known as the Koh-i-noor.
The following photographs were taken at the opening of the newly refurbished “Jackson’s Dog House.”
This was a corner of the Coach House in Jackson’s Dog House. 1961.
A Corner of the Dungeons in Jackson’s Dog House. 1961.
This 1960s photo is of the Coach House Bar in Jackson’s Dog House.
Interior of the Manor House, Off Sales in Jackson’s Dog House. 1961.
Another view of Jackson’s Dog House Bar. 1961.
Another corner of the Coach House in Jackson’s.
The Coach House Bar. 1961.
Exterior of Jackson’s Dog House. 1961.
Exterior view of the Manor House, Off Sales at Jackson’s Dog House. 1961.
See Jackson’s other premises. Click here.
304 Duke Street, Glasgow. G31 1RY.
The Molendinar. 1991.
This pub is now closed down. Over the years it has had a few different name changes. The last time I passed it was called Isa’s Bar.
This was originally called the Variety Bar opened around the 1960s.
Isa’s Bar. August 2005.
It seems this pub opens for a few years and then closes down and reopens with a different name. And as predicted Isa’s bar closed down and is now called Molly’s Bar.
Molly’s Bar. 2008.
Note the smokers on the right, this is now the case in most of the city pubs, the smokers seem to think the doorway of the premises is a none smoking area.
Update March 2010…
Molly’s a goner.
Molly’s Bar is going to have a name change and a new theme. Mr & Mrs Jim Ronald the new owners are taking the put back to its original name “The New Variety Bar” with a variety theme of past Glasgow entertainers likes of Francy and Josie, Chic Murray, a great idea and many of the locals will have a trip down memory lane. Good Luck with your new venture.
Thanks to Derek by email… New Variety Bar / Redmond’s
This was on Duke St at the corner of Annbank St. It used to have a lot of
karaoke nights so I never went in. Now changed to Redmond’s of Dennistoun
which has become my local. Great selection of beers and a bit more modern
than most of the pubs on Duke St.
2562 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow. G14 0PT. Tel: 01419521342.
The Lovat. 1991.
There has been licensed premises here since at least the 1880s. On of the best known publicans to hold a certificate here was Alexander Fraser. Mr Fraser was born in 1876 in Stratherrick near Inverness, the son of a school master turned farmer, he was educated in the Parish school then completed his education at Raining’s School, once famous throughout the Highlands.
Alexander stated in the National Guardian that completing his education was an over statement, he studied there for a certificate which would allow him to follow a profession, but with only a few months to go in his classes, the sudden death of his father put an end to such ideas and ideals.
There was a large family of Frasers, so, to make things easier on the farm, young Alexander at the age of seventeen took a cousin’s advice and came to Glasgow to enter the spirit trade.
After serving a short apprenticeship, he became a licence holder of premises at the East End of the Broomielaw, near the Clyde Trust building. This old pub was named the Inverness Bar. Three years later he took over a pub on Shamrock Street then later the Lovat Arms in Yoker.
His Broomielaw premises were demolished due to the City Council Redevelopment scheme shortly afterwards he disposed of his other pub in Shamrock Street to concentrate on the Yoker premises. Mr Fraser was heavily involved in the Church and was treasurer in the Erskine Parish Church.
Mr Fraser was also involved in the Gaelic movement in Glasgow, he didn’t have the time to learn much of the Gaelic language in his home town and one of the first things he did when he came to Glasgow was to join the Glasgow Invernessshire Society and the Clan Fraser Society. Completing his Gaelic education in Glasgow he was prominently identified with the Gaelic movement for over thirty years.
In 1898 he was one of the founders of the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, he was a member for many years and later acted as president. He was also a life member of the Northern Highland Benevolent Association of Glasgow and the Glasgow Celtic Society which he was president. When he took over the Lovat Arms in Yoker he associated himself with the Highland activities in Clydebank and formed the Gaelic choir there which he was a conductor for a short time.
He was also a director of the Glasgow and District Licensed Trade Defence Association and became a member of the Renfrew Parish Council in 1913. In 1918 he became a county councilor for Yoker completing over 20 years service in the county.
Exterior view of the Lovat Arms, 1960s.
The Inverness Bar, Broomielaw.
Mr Alexander Fraser owner of the Lovat Arms, Yoker. 1935.
On the 10th of July 1909, a fire broke out late in the night. The damage was to the extent of £500. Mr Alexander Fraser was the publican at this time.